Chapter 2—The Clan

ishandtoher. “Comeon,Missyteaisready,”addedthePrinceencouragingly. “Ishalltakeherin.”AndArchieofferedhisarmwithgreatdignity,anhonourthatmadeRoseturnasredasacherryandlongtorunupstairsagain. Itwasamerrysupper,andthetwoelderboysaddedmuchtothefunbytormentingtherestwithdarkhintsofsomeinterestingeventwhichwasabouttooccur.Somethinguncommonlyfine,theydeclareditwas,butenvelopedinthedeepestmysteryforthepresent. “DidIeverseeit?”askedJamie. “NottorememberitbutMacandStevehave,andlikeditimmensely,”answeredArchie,therebycausingthetwomentionedtoneglectDebby'sdelectablefrittersforseveralminutes,whiletheycudgelledtheirbrains. “Whowillhaveitfirst?”askedWill,withhismouthfullofmarmalade. “AuntPlenty,Iguess.” “Whenwillshehaveit?”demandedGeordie,bouncinginhisseatwithimpatience. “SometimeonMonday.” “Heartalive!whatistheboytalkingabout?”criedtheoldladyfrombehindthetallurn,whichleftlittletobeseenbutthetopmostbowofhercap. “Doesn'tauntieknow?”askedachorusofvoices. “Noandthat'sthebestofthejoke,forsheisdesperatelyfondofit.” “Whatcolourisit?”askedRose,joininginthefun. “Blueandbrown.” “Isitgoodtoeat?”askedJamie. “Somepeoplethinkso,butIshouldn'tliketotryit,”answeredCharlie,laughingsohesplithistea. “Whodoesitbelongto?”putinSteve. ArchieandthePrincestaredatoneanotherratherblanklyforaminute,thenArchieansweredwithatwinkleoftheeyethatmadeCharlieexplodeagain, “ToGrandfatherCampbell.” Thiswasaposer,andtheygaveupthepuzzle,thoughJamieconfidedtoRosethathedidnotthinkhecouldlivetillMondaywithoutknowingwhatthisremarkablethingwas. SoonafterteatheClandeparted,singing“Allthebluebonnetsareovertheborder,”atthetopsoftheirvoices. “Well,dear,howdoyoulikeyourcousins?”askedAuntPlenty,asthelastponyfriskedroundthecornerandthedindiedaway. “Prettywell,ma'ambutIlikePhebebetter.”AnanswerwhichcausedAuntPlentytoholdupherhandsindespairandtrotawaytotellsisterPeacethatshenevershouldunderstandthatchild,anditwasamercyAlecwascomingsoontotaketheresponsibilityofftheirhands. Fatiguedbytheunusualexertionsoftheafternoon,Rosecurledherselfupinthesofacornertorestandthinkaboutthegreatmystery,littleguessingthatshewastoknowitfirstofall. Rightinthemiddleofhermeditationsshefellasleepanddreamedshewasathomeagaininherownlittlebed.Sheseemedtowakeandseeherfatherbendingoverhertohearhimsay,“MylittleRose”toanswer,“Yes,papa”andthentofeelhimtakeherinhisarmsandkisshertenderly.Sosweet,sorealwasthedream,thatshestartedupwithacryofjoytofindherselfinthearmsofabrown,beardedman,whoheldherclose,andwhisperedinavoicesolikeherfather'sthatsheclungtohiminvoluntarily, “Thisismylittlegirl,andIamUncleAlec.”